Comments on: Wayne Avenue residents weigh in on Purple Line

By: Tdiddy

Tdiddy — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:06:38 +0000

My immediate response is so? “For the greater good” (Hot Fuzz Movie) times have changed and needs are different, it makes NO sense to be frozen in the past.

If drilling requires removing homes – so be it, not like there isn’t a surplus of homes in the market now. As to removing trees, we can replant them and then some – why not plant some in your backyard anyways despite the Purple Line.

As to light rail – I’ve personally seen and ridden them in inner cities in Europe, many of them exist on small roads, heck I’ve even ridden trains in Asia butressing small cities – literally a stones throw away from the town.

Not doing anything/doing too little to accomodate current and more importantly growing future needs is, in your words, plain crazy. Additionally accomodating the needs of the few, the “several homes” necessaty is also ridiculous.

By: LuvMyHood

LuvMyHood — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:46:31 +0000

Tdiddy, about that backyard, one of the earlier Purple Line routes would have been cut and cover under backyards. It would have been a shallow tunnel dug from the suface down between Silver Spring and Thayer Avenues. About 200 trees would have been destroyed, and several homes. Vibrations from that destruction and from the trains in the tunnel could have impacted more. The train would have exited the tunnel near East Silver Spring Elementary School.
“Light” rail belongs on big, wide streets. I could see taking a couple of lanes on a street like Colesville Road. Running a railroad literally through backyards and whacking a home here and there in the process is just plain crazy.

By: Tdiddy

Tdiddy — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:55:00 +0000

I dunno LMH – I guess we respectfully disagree. I liked what I saw in Europe (re: lightrail) done correctly it is an expressway that doesn’t have to stop for as many lights/cars and would love to see that in my backyard.

To Thayer-Ds point if it brings in the urban density I’ll one happy camper. Bring it on indeed :)

By: LuvMyHood

LuvMyHood — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:50:03 +0000

Thayer-D, I did not say anyone should flatten farmland. People need to figure out more productive ways to make money than continually tearing up land.
I used to prefer rail, because of the queasiness factor. This is no joke. The slant-y and sway-y parts of Metrorail make my stomach churn. Buses used to make my stomach churn most of the way. But the new low-riders do not. So for many trips I prefer bus to Metrorail now.

By: Thayer-D

Thayer-D — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:50:04 +0000

LuvMyHood,

“When the elevated tracks slant near Union Station, and when the train anywhere sways in the wind, I get queasy.”

“As a pedestrian, I find it pretty scary to walk through gridlocked crosswalks, such as Bonifant & Ga. during evening rush hour”

There are a lot of things that scare me too but we are talking about the greater good so buck up.

Also,”The Purple Line is NOT about improving traffic, it is about land redevelopment.” That is exactly right. People are moving to this area whether you like it or not, and they have to live somewhere. So according to you we should flatten out more precious farm land and put more cars driving through Silver Spring instead of increasing density on a rail line. People are going to make money one way or the other, again, it’s about the greater good. If Bus stops are so great, how come people aren’t willing to pay a premium to live near then the way they are for rail stops?

Editor’s note: Play nice. — JD (Dec 4, 2008)

By: LuvMyHood

LuvMyHood — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:34:03 +0000

Tdiddy, I take transit most of the time, usually the bus. I do have a car, but I drive it only when really necessary. The Purple Line WOULD have to stop for cars, and other vehicles would have to stop for those long trains, as they would be mostly at-grade, which is planning-speak for “on the surface.” As a pedestrian, I find it pretty scary to walk through gridlocked crosswalks, such as Bonifant & Ga. during evening rush hour. A subway is underground, so it is out of traffic. The carbon footprint of the “light” rail Purple Line would be significant, as it would be powered by electricity, presumably from coal-fired plants. WMATA’s Trip Planner with its walking maps, and the new low-riding diesel-electric buses have really improved the bus system. I say let’s go with what works, and keep improving the bus system.

By: Thayer-D

Thayer-D — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:28:17 +0000

Giv’em the business Tdiddy!

By: Tdiddy

Tdiddy — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:56:01 +0000

For that matter since environmental issues seem to be a concern as well for the folks protesting the Purple Line, what do you folks do to lower your carbon footprint? Or are you just arbitrarily being “green” by singling out the Purple Line.

By: Tdiddy

Tdiddy — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:53:57 +0000

I’ve taken the bus LuvMyHood – I find between necessary transfers and time stops I can typically bike faster or just add up to 10 min and enjoy a workout.

That’s what I think folks who “poo-poo” the Purple Line don’t get. A bus system, compared to the alternatives, i.e. light rail or actual subway isn’t efficient – they still have to stop for cars/deal with traffic and let’s face most of us value my time. I spend enough of it at work as it is.

LMH – given the opportunity to ride a more “efficient” system I’m sure those bus riders will be standing in line behind me to ride the purple line. BTW curiosity strikes me and you seem to be pretty passionate about the whole thing – do you ride mass transit? Use alternatives to your car?

By: LuvMyHood

LuvMyHood — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:58:57 +0000

Tdiddy, you can leave the car at home now, and take the bus. I urge you do do so, and enjoy the bus while your can. If the Purple Line hits, bus service will be cut back. MTA has said that all along. So has MoCo’s Park & Planning. But one planner’s “redundant” bus is another person’s just-right ride.